Booster



S P 1930. H. c. MILLER 1,775,071

BOOSTER Filed May 21, 1925 2 Sheets-Shoot 1 INVENTOR. G: 1' ZZer ATTORNEYS.

V P 1930. H. c. MILLER 1,775,071

OOOOO ER Filed May 21 1925 ZSheets-Shut 2 INVENTOR.

BY a

' ATTORNEY,$.

Patented Sept. 2, 1930 PATENT OFFIQE HENRY C. MILLER, OF WAT'E-RF0R1), NEW YORK BOOSTER,

Application filed May 21,

This invention relates to improvements in an auxiliary locomotive, or what is commonly known as a booster.

Heretofore, it has. been the custom to provide this type of locomotives or boosters with a separate power unit, brought into-play to augment the motive power of the locomotive to which it is attached, by operating idle gearing or the like, positioned to mesh with a gear onthe driven shaft of the carrying truck. The gear shift is usually independent of the motor and must be manipulated independently of the motor mechanismto bring the booster into operative relation with the 1 gear on the driven shaft.

Experience has demonstrated that the strains and stresses on idle gearing employed on the usual gear shift, tends to weaken the part and cause undue wear, with the result that the mechanism is short lived and unsatisfactory in practical use.

Furthermore, idle gearing disposed be tween the motor of the booster and the truck shaft of the locomotive to be driven, reduces efliciency and curtails the resultant power on the driven shaft.

7 As the function of the booster is to add more tractive force for starting accelerating, and operating at lowspeeds on heavy grades,

it is of the highest importance that as many separate moving parts as possible be dispensed with, to conserve every increment of power unit, and thus preserve as far as possible the power generated by the booster motor.

According to this invention, I propose to eliminate intermediate idle gears between the booster motor and the driven shaft, and the necessary mechanism incident to shifting the gears when bringing the motor into play, or throwing it out of operative relation with the driven shaft.

With this broad principle in view, the basic object of the present invention is to provide meansfor bodily shifting the booster. motor to bring into meshing relation a driven gear carried by the motor, and the driven gear on a truck of the locomotive or the tender as the case may be. p

Another object of the invention is to pro- 1925. Serial No. 31,890.

vide in a booster, a bodily movable motor, s0 arranged with reference to a driven shaft that the teeth of the interposed gears will be brought into meshingrelation in direct alignment with the pitch, which materially reduces the possibility of breakage and undue wear and tear.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a booster a loosely suspended motor to lend flexibility to the construction to avoid binding, and permit the parts to ride easily and smoothly on uneven rails and curves.

The invention also comprehends improvements in the details of-construction and arrangement of parts which will. be hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved booster.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of same.

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the motor frame.

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the means employed for bodily shifting the motor.

Fig. 5 is adetail horizontal section on the line 55 of Fig. 2, showing the packing between the driven shaft and the motor frame.

1 indicates a truck, only a portion of which is indicated in the drawings. Mounted-on the truck 1 is a sliding frame 2, suitably supported on the front and rear truck axles 3 and 4. The front of the frame is provided with two pairs of forwardly projecting bearing plates 5-5, which engage over bearing blocks 6-6 mounted on the front axle 3. Between each pair of bearing plates and in front of each bearing block, is an end block '7. These blocks form with the bearing plates elongated bearings around the blocks 6, and additional- 1y they serve as a means to limit the movement of the motor frame in one direction. The length of the elongated bearings is greater than the length of the bearing blocks to provide for a slidingmovement of the a frame in the operation of the booster.

Extending rearwardly from thecentral portion'of the frame 2, is a pair of bearing plates 88, connected at their free ends by a filler block 9, thus forming an elongated bearing 10, which receives a block 11, mount ed on the rearaxle 4-. The length of the elongated bearing 10, is greater than the length of the block 11, to provide for a sliding movement of the frame, the filler block 9 serving as a means for limitingthe movement of the frame in one direction.

The space between the blocks on the front axle 3 and the filler blocks 7 ,and the space between the'bearing block on the rear axle 4 and the filler block 9, is the same, so that in the operation of the booster, the rear of blocks 11 and 7 will limit the .forward movement of the frame, while the front of said filler blocks will limit the rearward movement of the frame. I V I The pairs of bearing plates 5-5 are spaced apart, while the pair of bearing plates 8, at the rear, are centrally disposed with reference to the frame and the front bearing plates, thus forming a three point suspension for the booster.

The frame carries a'pair of motors 13, each motor being disposed in alignment with the bearing blocks5. Themotors comprise the usual piston rods 14, cross heads15, valve operating mechanism 16, and connecting rods 18. The connecting rodsare connectedto cranks 19, on a shaft 20, mounted inthe forward part of the motor frame 2, in alignment with the axles 3 and 4.

Mounted centrally on the shaft 20 in a well 21, formed in the forward-part of the frame, is a pinion 22, and adjacent thereto in horizontal alignment is a gear wheel 23, fixed'on the front axle 3. The pinion is normally spaced from the gear wheel 23, but as will steam 'is cut off and the springs 32 acting hereinafter appear, the gears are adapted to be brought into meshing relation.

25 indicates a rock shaft mounted trans versely of the frame in rear of the shaft 20, and at its center, it is provided with a short arm 26. To the endof this arm is pivoted a v V tions, I may employ a systemof toggle levers piston rod 27, carrying a piston 28, which operates in a cylinder29. At the ends of the shaft 25 are crank arms'30, to which are pivoted connecting'rods 31, the forwards ends of which are pivoted to the front bearing blocks 66.- Return springs 32 are secured to arms 33, projecting from shaft 25, and to the botf tom of the frame, as shown.

Themotors are 'operated by steam, but'as the motors 'perse'form no part of the present invention, I have but conventionally illustrated inlet and exhaust ports at-'34.

The gears and essential engine parts are operated in oil, consequently the'frame is formed with suitable-wellsand cavities. A cover of course fits over the frame, whllea cover v38, is secured over the gear wheel 23,

and appropriate packing is provided on the inside-fof the bearing blocks 6-6 and the bearing plates 5-5 to prevent the oil escaping through the elongated openings. This packing may consist of a plate 40 mounted on the front axle adjacent the inner face of each block 6. Each plate is provided with a groove 41, in which the walls 42 of slots 7 formed in the cover plate 38, fit and slide in the movement of the frame, as shown in Fig. 5, packing material 43 being interposed filler block abuts against the rear "block 11,

and the frame correspondingly abuts against the filler blocks 66, which of course limits '7 the movement of the frame. "While" this movement is taking place, themotors are startedand power is transmitted to the front axle 3. In the movement of the-motor to bring the gears into mesh, it is to be noted that the gear teeth are all in direct alignment withthe axis of the truck, "with there- .sult that liability ofbreakage is reduced to a minimum.

Obviously when the piston28 is actuated by pressure, the cranks 30 pull against the blocks6 and draw or slide the m-otor forward to bring the gears into meshing relation.' To disconnect the motor from'the gear 23,

through the connections shown, rock shaft 25 and pull or rather push the motor back to normal position, the bearing plates 5 and 8 on'the bearing blocksacting as guides;

Inlieu of the rock shaft 25 and its 60111166- between'the motor frame and-trucl-r, actus ated by the piston28, to slidethe frame on Y ing the motor and fluid actuated. means to cause the motor to drive the axle, sa idmeclr anism and means being responsive to'a single pressure medium.

.2. In comb nation with a drivenielement of a booster therefor, including a. driver to cooperate with said element, and meansfor operating the driver, means for mounting the booster for movement to. and from an G erative V 'OSltlOIl the ClllVGll element i i l l 13 said means guiding the'booster on opposite sides of the driven element, and independent meansfor controlling the movement of the booster.

3. In combination with a truck, including spaced axles, a booster mounted as a unit for movement into and out of driving cooperation with one of said axles, the axles serv ing as a limit for the bodily movement of the booster.

4. Alocomotive booster for auxiliary driving effect, comprising a truck frame and axle, a motor bodily movable to and from driving cooperation with the axle, and fluid pressure means for initially compelling the bodily movement of the motor and subsequently the driving operation thereof.

5. A locomotive booster, including a truck frame and axle, a motor mounted for move ment to and from a driving cooperation with the axle, and fluid pressure means serving to first move the motor into driving cooperation with the axle and then drive the motor, said fluid pressure means operating to hold the motor in'driving cooperation with the axle as long as the motor is operating.

6. In a locomotive booster, atruck frame and axle, a motor mounted for bodily movement to and from a driving connection with the axle, motor operating means responsive to fluid pressure, and motor positioning means'responsive to the same fluid pressure.

7. In a locomotive booster, including a truck frame and axle, a motor means for the axle mounted for bodily movement relative thereto, and means initially responsive .to the motor operating medium for con'ipelling bodily movement of the motor.

8. In a locomotive booster, a truclc frame and axle, a motor supported on the axle and bodily movable to and from a driving cooperation therewith, and means whereby the operating medium of the motor will initially position the same for driving cooperation with the axle.

9. Alocomotive booster, including a truck frame and axle, a gear wheel mounted on the axle, a motor mounted for bodily movement relative to the truck frame and including a driving pinion for cooperating with the gear wheel, and fluid pressure means for first bodily moving the motor and thereafter operating the pinion.

10. A locomotive booster, including a motor movable bodily as a unit to and from an operative position, and a single means for first bodily moving the motor and thereafter operating the same.

11. In combination with a locomotive, of a booster therefor adapted for bodily movement to and from a driving position, and mechanism whereby steam pressure is utilized to bodily move the booster to a driving position and thereafter operate the booster for driving efiect.

12. In comblnatlon with a truck, includ ing spaced axles, a booster mounted as a unit for movement into and out of driving cooperation with one of said axles, the axles serving as the sole supporting means for the booster and as limits for the bodily movement of the booster.

13. In combination with a truck having axles, a booster frame having limited sliding bearing support on one of said axles, a gear on said axle, a pinion on the booster unit to cooperate with the gear in one limited position of the unit on the axle, and fluid pressure means for shifting the booster unit on the axle to cause the pinion to engage the gear.

14;. In combination with a truck having axles, of a motor including a frame having sliding cooperation with one of the axles, gearing on the motor and axles designed for cooperation in one sliding movement of the motor relative to the axle, means for limiting the sliding movement of the motor relative to the axle to determine the intermeshing relation of said gearing, means for operating the motor to cause the same to slide relative to the axle. and fluid pressure means for actuating said operating means.

15. In combination with a truck having an axle, of a motor unit having bearing plates to embrace one of the axles, filler blocks fitting the axle and disposed between the bearing plates, means carried by the bearing plates to engage the filler blocks and limit movement of the motor inone direction relative to the axle, gearing carried by the axle and motor and adapted to operatively intermesh in the operative movement of the motor, and fluid pressure means to operate the motor relative to the axle to thereby cause intermeshing of said gearing.

16. In combination with a truck frame having axles, of a booster unit supported for sliding movement in said frame, means carried by one of the axles for limiting this sliding movement, a pinion operated by the booster unit, a gear on the axle to be engaged by the pinion in one sliding movement of the unit, and fluid pressure means for compelling the sliding movement of the booster unit and serving as a cushion against torsional strain on the gear and pinion.

17. In combination wit-h a truck, including spaced axles, a booster mounted as a unit for movement into and out of driving cooperation with one of said axles, the axles serving limits for the bodily movement of the booster, and fluid pressure means to operate the booster to the limit permitted by the axles and thereafter actuate the booster.

18. A. slidable crotch support for a booster frame, a crotch, each crotch provided with a slidable support, a gearing in the crotch, and means for operating the motor frame to and from a drive-gear, means to control the mesh of the driving gear in working relation with the driven gear; the said slidable means preventing the lateral shock on the motor frame while the booster is travelling around curves or unevenness of rails.

19. In combination with a truck having axles, an engine frame having at one end a bifurcated extension, each arm of the extension having a crotch, each crotch supported on bearin s on the axle, a gear on the axle, a power shaft on the engine, a gear on the power shaft, the bearings in the crotches controlling the distance of travel of the engine frame relative to the shaft to bring the gears "into proper mesh, and means to cause the frame to move towards and from the axle to engage and disengage the gears.

20. In combination with a truck having a frame, axles, and wheels, an elongated engine frame having at one end a bifurcated extension, each arm of the extension having a crotch, each crotch having an axle bearing slidably mounted therein, the other end of the engine frame being slidably' supported, a driving element supported on the engine frame, a driven element supported on the axle between the bifurcation extensions and the axle 'bearings, and means to operate the driving and driven elements relatively to move them into or out of cooperation.

21. In combination, a truck having axles, anelongated booster frame having at one end an extension to be slidably supported and provided at the opposite end with a bifurcated extensiomthe arms ofthe extension having crotches, said crotches being'freely supported on bearings on one of the axles, a driving element forming part of the booster, a driven element forming part of an axle, means for causing the two elements to move relatively to engage with or disengage from each other, the booster frame when'in either engaged or disengaged relation of the'elements being yieldable relative to the axle through their sliding hearings to compensate for stresses incident to road irregularities.

22. In combination, a truck having axles,

a frame having slidable cooperation with said axles, a motor drive support on the frame, a bifurcated extension at one end of the frame and formed with crotches to be loosely supported by the bearings on the axle, driving means on the motor, a driven means on frame to drive the axle and frame operating.

means connected to the bearings and to the frame to move the frame on the bearings lnto and out of relative driving cooperation with theaxle. I V 25. In a booster combination, atr ction axle, bearings onthe axle,an engine carrying v frame formed with crotches for slidably cooperating with the axle bearing at one end, and an extension on the otherend of the frame for supporting the frame, whereby either end is permitted to yield alternately in r a longitudinal direction at right angles to the traction axleundera variation inthe roadbed or under-torque or stress in the frame or axle in any relative position of the parts. 7

26. A railway booster'comprising in its driving connection a driving gear on] the booster shaft adapted to'directly mesh with the drive gear on the axle, and means to cause the gears to directlyintermesh by the same means that operates the booster engine.

27. A railway booster comprising in its.

driving connection, adriving gear onthe booster shaft adapted to mesh directly with a driven gear on the axle, one of said gears be ingshiftable into and out of mesh with the other, in combination with a gear shifting motor actuated tomeshthe gears by fluid pressure from the same source as the motive fluid for the booster engine. 7

. In testimony whereof I affix my signature. HENRY G. MILLER.

the axle, and means to move the driving means anddriven means relatively to cause their connection or disconnection, the frame being freely slidable onthe axles in all relative positions of the frame and axles to there by afford compensation for stresses incident to road irregularities. Y i

23. In a booster for supporting a locomotive, .a supporting truck, an elastic fluid operated motor carried on the truck, said motor being mounted relative to the truck to permit a compensating movement of the motor relative to the truck under road bed irregularities, 

